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  3. California Central Coast
  4. Monterey / Carmel
  5. Monterey
Cafe Fina, Monterey, CA

Cafe Fina

4.8
4.8
517 Reviews
$30 and under
Seafood
We personally welcome you to Café Fina. My family and I have been serving diners on Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf since 1989. We specialize in Italian cuisine, make our pastas and raviolis in house, grow our own seasonal organic home-grown vegetables, and serve a variety of only the freshest seafood from the Monterey Bay. Our wood-burning oven prepares excellent pizza, and the quaint Italian decor and ocean views make dining at Cafe Fina a memorable experience.


Café Fina is a full-service fine dining restaurant, serving lunch and dinner. In addition to our award winning food,we also feature a wide variety of wines, including the best of our local wines, the finest wines that Napa valley has to offer, and a fine selection of Italian wines. Dominic’s cooking has enabled Café Fina to be the sole caterer for John Madden’s induction ceremony into the Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and has earned him visits from Rachel Ray and other TV stars.
I hope to see you soon

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 2 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Italian, Pizzeria
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sun 3:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 372-5200
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    we can handle parties up to 25
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Cross street
    Del Monte Ave and 250 figueroa ave
  • Parking details
    Del Monte Ave and 250 figueroa ave
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wine

What 517 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Seafood

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Overall

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Food

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Service

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Value

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Seafood

517 Reviews
  1. JonF

    Portland

    175 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    175 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This is my first time at the small café on the Warf on Monterey Bay. The experience was fantastic with the best paella I have had in years and I have tried quite a few restaurants. The service was wonderful. This is a quaint little restaurant with fabulous food, and I will be back next time I'm in Monterey.

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  2. CindyG

    San Francisco

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went for location and view but were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and service. Great cocktail menu as well. A very enjoyable experience over all.

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  3. DinaP

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Cute restaurant; delicious food and great service.

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  4. LindaW

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So nice to have dinner where the owner gives so much attention to every aspect of your dining experience.

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  5. JohnP

    San Francisco

    85 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    85 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    When your going to Fisherman’s for a meal, this is the place to dine, lunch or dinner!

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  6. Lynne

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dominic makes you feel like part of his "family" and Roxanne provides warm and enthusiastic service. The food is fresh and well prepared, with small touches like herbed butter. We loved Dominic's home-grown peach cobbler. And watching the sea lions out the window was the icing on the cake.

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  7. BrookeB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best dinner and dessert on the wharf Staff is very friendly

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    70 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    70 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another wonderful meal at Cafe Fina! We got a beautiful booth window seat to look out over the harbor. Everything was amazing, as usual!

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  9. JacqueS

    Central Coast

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Café Fina never disappoints. We were seated at our usual table, by the window overlooking the Bay. I had my usual, the Petrale Sole with a lemon butter sauce. My husband opted for one of the specials, house made veal & mushroom ravioli in a tomato cream sauce with a pesto topping. We used the bread to lap up every last drop of the sauces. Roxanne, our waitress, and long-time friend, anticipated our needs and was there before we could ask. The restaurant is small, reservations are recommended but not always necessary. If you are looking for authentic Italian seafood, Café Fina should be your #1 choice.

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  10. MaureenT

    Hawaii

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 10, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The clam chowder here is delicious. The chowder is thick and lots of clams and the top of the bread bowl is toasted with cheese on top! The fish and chips was very crispy and delicious.

    1 person found this helpful

  11. Christine

    San Francisco

    82 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    82 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent! Second time returning after a local friend recommended. WILD abalone was yet again exquisite. Pistachio penne as in Sicily and the fruit cobbler from the owner's farm (his mother is from Sicily) was a dream. Highly recommend!

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  12. DDNJ

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was excellent but it was outdone by the service which was impeccable. Food served quickly, presented beautifully. Attentive, professional staff that was friendly and made dining there a pleasure. It’s been awhile since I have been treated so well in a restaurant.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We made reservations, and we were rewarded for it by being seated near a window with a view of the Bay. We enjoyed our seats but were seated next to a big party, and it was noisy as soon as they arrived. Three of the guys arrived drunk, and they were obnoxious. This isn’t the restaurant’s fault but it would have been nice if we didn’t have to sit near them. Our server was very friendly and attentive, and she was able to answer all our questions. I was embarrassed that I forgot my wallet at the hotel, and I was hoping I could pay with credit card information I have saved on my iphone. She was nice about it, she took me through the steps, and it was successful, which was a huge relief. We loved the bread and garlic butter. We also enjoyed the crab cakes, although they seemed a little small. The clam chowder was also very good, and it had a delicious, unique flavor. I ordered the seafood paella, and my date ordered the abalone. Both were delicious. The paella was a ton of food. But, there wasn’t much to the abalone, which cost $70. But it was very good. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner a lot.

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  14. CatherineM

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 29, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful surprise to stumble onto this restaurant. Food was beyond excellent. Pizza Mia and the limoncello are a must.

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  15. DavidS

    Orange County

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Definitely a must place to eat. Our first choice when we are in Monterey. Wonderful fun and service. Also get their cookbook. So many great recipes and a heart warming story done by the owner Dominic.

    1 person found this helpful

  16. ScottG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    First visit to Cafe Fina … the Wharf has never been top of mind but this gem is worth the seedy environment. Best Caprese Salad ever and we have it often. Haddock cheeks were amazing … what a luscious sauce and hearty portion. My wife’s Linguini with clams was just above average but lots of other options for next time.

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  17. Claudio

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great setting. Perfect for a romantic date! We had a great time.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Café Fina is a gem on Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf. The food and service are superb, consistently high quality and caring staff. Cerys and Roxanne are excellent and very helpful in answering our questions. We had the Salmon on basil cream sauce and the Petrale Sole, which were delicious. The roasted garlic appetizer was yummy. We highly recommend Cafe Fina for a memorable dining experience in Monterey; hands down, it’s the Wharf's top destination.

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic entree (chioppino) and view of the water.

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  20. atgdude

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dominic and the crew at Cafe Fina do a fantastic job with the food and service. We've never had a bad meal served to us!

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  21. CarolM

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing ambiance, food and history rigjt on the wharf

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  22. HalB

    Tahoe

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The menu is limited and very limited for people who are gluten free.

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  23. foodiefoods

    Boise

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Expectations were set high based on previous reviews, however  the food was at best average, including, the paella, which has been raved about. Staff was friendly. Had a 6 PM reservation and they were out of several things.  I will probably try something different next time. I’m in the area as there are lots of options. 

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    70 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    70 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We absolutely love dining at Cafe Fina! Ambience, service, food, views… Everything is always perfect!

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  25. VTBlue

    Greater Boston

    162 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    162 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We worried we were walking into a tourist trap on the wharf, but nothing could have been further from the truth. The food was excellent and our server was absolutely top-notch (she had a Welsh name i do no not recall). Authentic, all local, and delicious. Highly recommended and I’ll be back next year.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Definitely goi gong back to Cafe Fina! Great food Service and owner was so nice and took the time to say hello.

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  27. JacqueS

    Central Coast

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The very best upscale Italian Seafood in Monterey. My husband and I are locals and we dine there 5-6x per year. The food is always fresh and delicious. From the regular menu items like Pasta Fina and Crab & Shrimp Ravioli in Pesto sauce, to the seasonal specials like Petrale Sole and Halibut Cheeks, the taste and presentation is spot on perfect. The waitstaff is top notch, always at your service, but never in your face. Last night we sat by the open window for the cool breeze and the local sea lions frolicking and barking in the Bay. We were celebrating a birthday and enjoyed the experience. Looking forward to our next visit already!

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food and service was excellent. Tomatoes and the garlic butter were incredible.

    1 person found this helpful

  29. MarinaC

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    LOVED THE INTERACTION OF THE STAFF! :) FRESH VEGETABLES

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was SO good!!! We will be back!!! Thanks so much!!

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food, drinks and service are impeccable. Our absolute favorite dining spot in Monterey, no contest at all.

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A quaint little Italian restaurant in the middle of the bustling, loud Wharf. Great food! Service was excellent. We had reservations at 6:30; however, 7-7:30 reservations would have been perfect, as the sun would have been tucked behind the mountains for a perfect view outside!

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  33. shirleyV

    Central Coast

    53 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We eat here often.. I love the Halibut (piccata sauce). Owner has a garden that vegetables come from -so they are always fresh & tasty. Service is excellent (thanks Roxanne) Parking is no issue as there is pay parking (reasonable cost). Highly recommend to anyone visiting (or living) in the area.

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  34. CindyP

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cafe Fina is our favorite place on the wharf. Wonderful food and service. A great place to have a delicious meal with a beautiful view.

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  35. RichardC

    Sacramento

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dominic and Roxanne were a total delight for our dinner service! Great recommendations, very attentive service as usual! We had the fried calamari and caprese salad to start followed by halibut cheeks & veal picatta . The heirloom tomatoes in the salad were delish!! Peach cobbler finished it off! Everything was outstanding!! Well done!!

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  36. JayB

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent all around! Our favorite restaurant in Monterey.

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  37. DowntownJack

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great, setting on the wharf, great service, and some of the best food we’ve ever had!

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  38. JohnP

    San Francisco

    85 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    85 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a pleasure to have a delicious meal, no wonder it was voted “the best sea food restaurant” on the Peninsula…

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  39. AmandaR

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The calamari was delicious and very tender. We split a Caesar salad and the paella and they were both excellent!

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  40. 26pt2runner

    Minneapolis

    162 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    162 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Seafood pasta was the best meal we had while in Monterey. Service was great and over-all surprising given the tourist trap surroundings

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily

FAQs

Cafe Fina is rated 4.8 stars by 517 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 2 times today
Google Map for Cafe Fina

47 Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Del Monte Ave and 250 figueroa ave
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sun 3:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Italian, Pizzeria
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Del Monte Ave and 250 figueroa ave
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wine
  • Phone number
    (831) 372-5200
  • Private party facilities
    we can handle parties up to 25
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